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Benjamin

Easy Mongolian Beef with a Sweet & Savory Sauce

Mongolian beef is a restaurant-style stir-fry that combines thinly sliced beef with a sweet, savory, and garlicky sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners when you need something quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Serve it over rice or noodles for an irresistible meal that tastes better than takeout!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound flank steak or sirloin thinly sliced against the grain
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar packed
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • Toasted sesame seeds optional, for garnish

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, toss the sliced beef with cornstarch and baking soda. Let it sit for 10 minutes to tenderize.
  2. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Sear the beef in batches, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Sauté the garlic and ginger for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the water, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Return the cooked beef to the skillet, tossing to coat it evenly in the sauce. Add black pepper and chopped green onions. Cook for another minute.
  6. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired, then serve hot over rice or noodles.

Notes

    • Flank steak is the best choice for this recipe, but sirloin or ribeye also works well.
    • For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or Sriracha to the sauce.
    • To make it gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
    • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for best results.

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